The new Registered Organisation Commission is investigating $125,000 in payouts to former officials of the CEPU's Tasmanian branch, Senate estimates have been told.
A Senate inquiry has recommended an employer who gives a union official a $20 bottle of wine for speaking at a conference be exempted from sanctions in the corrupting benefits legislation that is before the House of Representatives today.
The Fair Work Commission will get just over $74 million in funding under the 2017-18 federal budget — a 5% cut — as it loses some functions to the new Registered Organisations Commission.
The new standalone regulator for registered organisations will start operating on Monday, May 1, with its new powers taking effect by the following day.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has this afternoon introduced legislation that outlaws payments of "corrupting benefits" to unions and imposes penalties on those who provide or receive such payments.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has upbraided new ACTU leader Sally McManus for expressing her support for key affiliate the CFMEU's flouting of "unjust" IR laws.
Newly-elected ACTU secretary, Sally McManus, has blasted "corporate greed" and pledged to win major changes to workplace laws, which will include pushing for stronger action from future Labor governments.
The NUW has today asked its former NSW leader Derrick Belan about evidence he gave to the Heydon Royal Commission, as it defends his brother Nick's unfair dismissal claim in the FWC.
The FWC will discontinue hearings into former CEPU leader Jim Metcher's fitness to hold an entry permit as his retirement last week triggered its expiry.
